Prayer vigil in Charlottesville
Aug. 23. A prayer vigil at 7:30 pm this evening on the Davidson Village Green will give the community a chance to grieve in the wake of the violence that took place in Charlottesville, Va., almost two weeks ago. The gathering, organized by clergy in Cornelius and Davidson, is not a protest.
“This is a time for prayer, lament, grieving, and finding a way forward together,” said Rev. Joel Simpson, assistant pastor at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.
He organized the vigil with Rev. Alexis Coleman, the missions pastor at Davidson United Methodist Church. Cornelius Mayor Chuck Travis, in an email, said he would attend.
Vandalism at monument
Confederate Monument on Zion Ave.
The Confederate soldiers’ monument on Zion Avenue was vandalized shortly after the events in Charlottesville. Police have video of the vandalism in Cornelius, but the investigation is still under way. The monument has been cleaned.
Rabbi Michael Shields, associate chaplain at Davidson College and the leader of Temple Kol Tikvah in Davidson, will also participate in the vigil which will “express our grief, lament, and commit to move forward together.”
There will be no speeches or sermons; there will be music, an act of response and the lighting of candles.
Davidson Police said they are making plans to facilitate pedestrians to and from the vigil. “Our presence is to allow for a safe environment for those who wish to exercise their right to peacefully assemble in the Town of Davidson,” said Davidson Police Chief Penny Dunn. Specific details were not released.
The national debate over Confederate monuments is front and center in Cornelius. A striking granite monument erected in 1910 sits on a square of property on Zion Avenue in front of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. It is not owned by or associated with the church.
Discussion Sept. 6
Cornelius Today will host a Newsmakers Breakfast discussion titled “Post-Charlottesville: Where Do We Go From Here?” Sept. 6 at The Peninsula Club. There will be an informal panel discussion as well as questions from the audience, in the traditional Newsmakers Breakfast format.
The speakers are:
- Chaz Beasley, an African-American who is serving his first term in the North Carolina House of Representatives. He represents District 92, which runs from Huntersville west of I-77 south to Charlotte.
- Woody Washam, the mayor pro tem of Cornelius who is running unopposed for mayor. He is a lifelong member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, as well as the organist for the past 50 years.
- John Wertheimer, Ph. D., a noted historian and professor at Davidson College. His most recent book is ” Law and Society in the South: A History of North Carolina Court Cases.”
The cost to attend is $12 and includes breakfast. Reservations, with Visa or MasterCard, are required: 704-895-1335.
